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United States Patent |
6,209,647
|
Brown, Jr.
|
April 3, 2001
|
Down hole casing string cleaning device and method
Abstract
A down hole cleaning assembly and method of cleaning a tubular. Generally,
the down hole assembly is connected to a work string concentrically
located within a casing string. In one embodiment, the down hole assembly
comprises a mandrel operatively connected to the work string, with the
mandrel having an opening therein. A pad member is received within the
opening, with the pad member having a groove formed therein. Also provided
is a wire brush member, operatively positioned within the groove of the
pad member, for cleaning the internal diameter of the casing string. The
pad member and groove may be helical, with the wire brush member
positioned within the groove. The down hole assembly further comprises a
biasing member, operatively positioned between the mandrel and the pad
member, adapted for biasing the wire brush means against the inner
diameter of the well bore.
Inventors:
|
Brown, Jr.; Billy L. (888 W. Houston Pkwy. South Ste. 270, Houston, TX 77042)
|
Appl. No.:
|
361066 |
Filed:
|
July 26, 1999 |
Current U.S. Class: |
166/311; 15/104.2; 166/173 |
Intern'l Class: |
E21B 037/00 |
Field of Search: |
166/170,172-174,176,311
15/104.05,104.095,104.16,104.2
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2682069 | Jun., 1954 | Scriminger | 15/104.
|
3032114 | May., 1962 | Best | 106/173.
|
3824646 | Jul., 1974 | Jai | 15/104.
|
3827492 | Aug., 1974 | Hammon et al. | 166/173.
|
4438812 | Mar., 1984 | Hammon | 166/173.
|
4501322 | Feb., 1985 | Martin | 166/173.
|
4503578 | Mar., 1985 | McIntyre | 15/104.
|
5419397 | May., 1995 | Reynolds | 166/312.
|
5570742 | Nov., 1996 | Reynolds et al.
| |
5711046 | Jan., 1998 | Potter | 166/173.
|
5819353 | Oct., 1998 | Armell et al. | 15/104.
|
5829521 | Nov., 1998 | Brown | 166/173.
|
5947203 | Sep., 1999 | Brown | 166/311.
|
Primary Examiner: Schoeppel; Roger
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dominigue & Waddell, PLC
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part application of my application
Ser. No. 09/133,913 filed on Aug. 13, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,203,
which is a con't of 08/804,216 filed Feb. 21, 1997 U.S. Pat. No.
5,829,521. This invention relates to a down hole assembly used to clean
tubular strings. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this
invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning the internal
diameter of casing strings with a bristle brush circumferentially arranged
about a down hole assembly.
Claims
I claim:
1. A down hole assembly for attachment to a first tubular member and a
second tubular member within a well bore, the first tubular member having
an opened end with a first annular ring formed thereon, and the second
tubular member having an opened end with a second annular ring formed
thereon, and wherein the down hole assembly comprises:
a mandrel having a first end and a second end, said first end of said
mandrel being configured to be connected to the opened end of the first
tubular member and said second end of said mandrel being configured to be
connected to the opened end of the second tubular member, and wherein said
mandrel contains a first helical opening;
a first helical pad configured to be positioned within said first helical
opening, said helical pad having a groove therein;
a first lip extending from said first helical pad, said first lip being
configured to adapt to said first annular ring in order to attach said
first helical pad to the first tubular member;
a first wire brush member inserted within said groove;
a first spring inserted between said first helical pad and said mandrel,
said spring biasing said helical pad radially outward.
2. The down hole assembly of claim 1 wherein said mandrel further comprises
a second helical opening and the down hole assembly further comprises:
a second helical pad configured to be positioned within said second helical
opening, said second helical pad having a second groove therein;
a second wire brush member inserted within said second groove;
a second lip extending from said second helical pad, said second lip being
configured to adapt to said first annular ring in order to attach said
first helical pad to the first tubular member;
a second spring inserted between said second helical pad and said mandrel,
said second spring biasing said second helical pad radially outward.
3. The down hole assembly of claim 2 wherein said mandrel contains a third
helical opening and the second tubular member contains a second annular
ring, and wherein the down hole assembly further comprises:
a third helical pad configured to be positioned within said third helical
opening, said third helical pad having a series of annular ribs;
a third lip extending from said third helical pad, said third lip being
configured to adapt to said second annular ring in order to attach said
first helical pad to the first tubular member;
a third spring inserted between said third helical pad and said mandrel,
said third spring biasing said third helical pad radially outward.
4. The down hole assembly of claim 3 wherein said mandrel further comprises
a fourth helical opening and the down hole assembly further comprises:
a fourth helical pad configured to be positioned within said fourth helical
opening, said fourth helical pad having a series of annular ribs;
a fourth lip extending from said third helical pad, said fourth lip being
configured to adapt to said second annular ring in order to attach said
fourth helical pad to the second tubular member;
a fourth spring inserted between said fourth helical pad and said mandrel,
said fourth spring biasing said fourth helical pad radially outward.
5. The down hole assembly of claim 4 wherein said first wire brush member
comprises:
a wire bundle having a first end and a second end;
a brace disposed about said second end of said wire bundle;
and wherein said brace is disposed within said first groove of said pad
member.
6. The down hole assembly of claim 5 wherein said brace comprises:
an open end and a closed end, with the closed end having disposed therein
said second end of said wire bundle, and wherein said open end and said
closed end cooperate to form a triangular shaped profile.
7. The down hole assembly of claim 6 wherein said first groove has an
angular shaped profile adapted to slidably receive said triangular shaped
profile of said brace.
8. The down hole assembly of claim 7 wherein said first wire brush member
and said second wire brush member are arcuate, and wherein said first wire
brush member is disposed about the periphery of said mandrel to cover a
first phase and wherein said second wire brush member is disposed about
the periphery of said mandrel to cover a complimentary second phase.
9. A method of cleaning a casing string, said casing string having an
internal portion, the method comprising:
lowering a work string within said internal portion of said casing string;
providing a cleaning apparatus attached to said work string, said apparatus
comprising: a first tubular member and a second tubular member within the
casing string, the first tubular member having an opened end with an
annular ring formed thereon, and the second tubular member having an
opened end with an annular ring formed thereon; a mandrel having a first
end and a second end, said first end of said mandrel being configured to
be connected to the opened end of the first tubular member and said second
end of said mandrel being configured to be connected to the opened end of
the second tubular member, and wherein said mandrel contains a first and
second helical opening; a first and second helical pad configured to be
positioned within said first and second helical opening, said first and
second helical pad having a groove therein; a lip extending from said
first and second helical pad, said lip being configured to adapt to said
annular ring; a wire brush member inserted within said groove; a first and
second spring inserted between said first and second helical pad and said
mandrel, said first and second spring biasing said first and second
helical pad radially outward;
urging said wire brush member against the internal portion of said casing
string with said first and second spring;
cleaning the internal portion of said casing string.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
rotating the work string;
lowering the work string;
circulating a fluid through the internal portion of the work string and
returning the fluid in an annulus area;
channeling the fluid through the first and second helical pad.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said well casing has a highly deviated
section so that a low side of the well casing and a high side is created,
and the apparatus further comprises a centralizer operatively associated
with said work string, with the first helical pad covering a first phase
and the second helical pad covering a second phase, and wherein the method
further comprises:
lifting the apparatus from the low side of the well casing with said
centralizer;
urging said wire brush member of the first helical pad against the low side
of the well casing with said first spring at a constant force;
urging said wire brush member of the second helical pad against the high
side of the inner diameter of the well casing with said second spring at
the constant force.
12. An apparatus for cleaning an inner diameter of a casing string, the
apparatus comprising:
a mandrel having a first end and a second end, said first end of said
mandrel being configured to be connected to an opened end of a first
tubular member and said second end of said mandrel being configured to be
connected to an opened end of a second tubular member, and wherein said
mandrel contains a first helical opening;
a first helical pad configured to be positioned within said first helical
opening, said first helical pad having a first groove therein;
a first wire brush member inserted within said first groove;
a first spring inserted between said first helical pad and said mandrel,
said spring biasing said helical pad radially outward;
dove tail means, operatively associated with said mandrel, for selectively
attaching said first and second helical pad member with said mandrel.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said dove tail means comprises the
first tubular member having an opened end with an annular ring formed
thereon that engages a first lip extending from said first helical pad,
said first lip being configured to adapt to said annular ring so that said
first helical pad is held in place by said annular ring.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:
a second helical opening formed on said mandrel;
a second helical pad configured to be positioned within said second helical
opening, said second helical pad having a second groove therein and
wherein said second helical pad includes a second lip extending therefrom;
a second wire brush member inserted within said second groove;
a second spring inserted between said second helical pad and said mandrel,
said second spring biasing said second helical pad radially outward;
and wherein the dove tail means further comprises: the second tubular
member having an opened end with an annular ring formed thereon that
engages said second lip so that said second helical pad is held in place
by said annular ring.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:
a third helical opening formed on said mandrel;
a third helical pad configured to be positioned within said third helical
opening, said third helical pad having a series of annular ribs;
a third spring inserted between said first helical pad and said mandrel,
said third spring biasing said third helical pad radially outward.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:
a fourth helical opening formed on said mandrel;
a fourth helical pad configured to be positioned within said fourth helical
opening, said fourth helical pad having a series of annular ribs;
a fourth spring inserted between said second helical pad and said mandrel,
said fourth spring biasing said fourth helical pad radially outward.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said first wire brush member
comprises:
a wire bundle having a first end and a second end;
a brace disposed about said second end of said wire bundle;
and wherein said brace is disposed within said first groove of said first
helical pad member.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said brace comprises:
an open end and a closed end, with the closed end having disposed therein
said second end of said wire bundle, and wherein said open end and said
closed end cooperate to form a triangular shaped profile.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said first groove has an angular
shaped profile adapted to slidably receive said wedge of said brace.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said first wire brush member and said
second wire brush member are arcuate, and wherein said first wire brush
member is disposed about the periphery of said mandrel to cover a first
phase and wherein said second wire brush member is disposed about the
periphery of said mandrel to cover a second phase so that a top end of
said first wire brush member overlaps a bottom end of said second wire
brush member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the development of oil and gas fields, operators will drill a well to a
hydrocarbon reservoir, and thereafter, run a casing string through the
production formation. The casing string will then be cemented into place.
In turn, the well will then be completed as is well appreciated by those
of ordinary skill in the art.
The optimization of production is an important criteria of any completion.
Studies have shown that residue on the internal diameter of the casing
string (such as cement, pipe dope, scale, burrs, etcetera) have a negative
impact on productivity. Specialized completion fluids devoid of fines,
solids and other debris are used to complete the well. Therefore, a major
emphasis has been made to clean the inner diameter of the casing string.
Thus, when the operators have finished the pumping of a cement composition
through the well casing, a work string is lowered on which a mechanical
scraping device is used to scrap the walls of the casing. In the prior
art, various types of casing scrapers are in use prior to displacement of
a clean completion fluid. That is why it is so important to clean the
casing wall as much as possible since it takes less time to ultimately
filter the displaced completion fluids. Also, cleaning will eliminate
foreign matter such as cement sheaths, scale, burrs and barite which in
turn allows the tools used in the completion process to properly perform.
The scraping action of traditional scrapers with blades also have been
known to leave a fine film of oil base or synthetic fluid residue on the
casing wall. Prior art devices also cause problems because of the hardness
of their blades cannot get into the casing connections as brushes can.
Also, casing scrapers in high deviated holes collapse to the low side of
the casing causing a great deal of wear on one side and the top side of
the hole is not properly cleaning the high side due to ineffective
engagement with the high side.
Therefore, there is a need for a down hole assembly that will be effective
in cleaning a well bore that contains an oil base and/or synthetic fluid.
There is also a need for a cleaning apparatus that will be effective in
highly deviated wells. There is also a need for a down hole assembly that
will have brush pads that are of sturdy construction and allow for ease of
replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A down hole cleaning assembly is disclosed. Generally, the down hole
assembly is connected to a work string concentrically located within a
casing string. In one embodiment, the down hole assembly comprises a
mandrel operatively connected to the work string, with the mandrel having
an opening therein. A pad member is received within the opening, with the
pad member having a groove formed therein. Also provided is a wire brush
means, operatively positioned within the groove of the pad member, for
cleaning the internal diameter of the casing string.
The down hole assembly further comprises a biasing member, operatively
positioned between the mandrel and the pad member, adopted for biasing the
wire brush means against the inner diameter of the well bore. In the
preferred embodiment, the wire brush means comprises a wire bundle having
a first end and a second end, a brace disposed about the second end of the
wire bundle, and wherein the brace is disposed within the groove of the
pad member.
The brace herein disclosed includes an open end and a closed end, with the
closed end having disposed therein the second end of the wire bundle, and
wherein the open end and the closed end cooperate to form a triangular
shaped profile. The groove will also contain a triangular shaped profile
adapted to slidably receive the triangular brace.
In the preferred embodiment, the mandrel contains a second of slot, and
wherein the down hole assembly further comprises a second pad member
adapted to be received within the second slot, the second pad containing a
second groove formed therein. A second wire brush means, operatively
positioned within the second groove of the pad member, is also provided
for cleaning the internal diameter of the casing string.
The down hole assembly may also contain a centralizer means, operatively
adopted to the work string, for centralizing the mandrel within the casing
string. A dove tail means, operatively associated with the mandrel, is
also included for selectively adapting the wire brush means onto the work
string.
In the preferred embodiment, the first and second wire brush means are
arcuate, and wherein said first wire brush means is disposed about the
periphery of the mandrel to cover a first 180 degree phase and wherein the
second wire brush means is disposed about the periphery of the mandrel to
cover a second 180 degree phase so that the first wire brush means and the
second wire brush means cover a 360 degree phase about the mandrel. In
another embodiment, a plurality of wire brush means may be placed about
the periphery of the mandrel, with the wire brush means being staggered
circumferentially in relation to each other so that the wire brushes have
an effective coverage area of 360 degrees.
Also disclosed herein is a method of cleaning a casing string. The method
comprises lowering a work string within the casing string. The work string
will have provided therewith a down hole cleaning apparatus operatively
associated with the work string. The wire bundle of the cleaning apparatus
will be urged against the inner diameter of the casing string via the
spring to allow for constant pressure of the brushes against the casing
wall at all times. The method provides for cleaning the inner diameter of
the casing string as the work string is lowered.
The method further comprising rotating the work string, and thereafter,
lowering the work string. The operator may then circulate a drilling fluid
through the inner diameter of the work string. The work string may be
stationary or rotating during circulation.
In one embodiment, the well casing has a horizontal section so that a low
side of the well casing and a high side of the well casing is created. In
this embodiment, the apparatus includes a centralizer operatively
associated with the work string. Also included will be a second cleaning
apparatus, with the first cleaning apparatus covering a 180 degree phase
and the second cleaning apparatus covering a complimentary 180 degree
phase so that the entire 360 degree periphery is covered.
The method would further comprise lifting the apparatus from the low side
of the inner diameter of the well casing with the centralizer. Also, the
wire bundle of the first cleaning apparatus is urged against the low side
of the inner diameter of the well casing with the spring at a constant
force. Simultaneously therewith, the wire bundle of the second cleaning
apparatus is urged against the high side of the inner diameter of the well
casing with its spring at a constant force so that both the low side of
the casing and the high side of the casing will be cleaned.
In a second embodiment, which in this application is the preferred
embodiment, an apparatus for cleaning an inner diameter of a casing string
is disclosed. In this embodiment, the down hole assembly comprises a
mandrel having a first end and a second end, with the first end of said
mandrel being configured to be connected to an opened end of a first
tubular member and the second end of the mandrel being configured to be
connected to an opened end of a second tubular member. The mandrel
contains a first helical opening.
The apparatus further contains a first helical pad configured to be
positioned within the first helical opening, with the helical pad having a
groove therein. A wire brush member is inserted within the groove and a
first spring is inserted between the first helical pad and the mandrel,
with the spring biasing the helical pad radially outward.
The apparatus further contains a dove tail means, operatively associated
with the mandrel, for selectively adapting the first second helical pad
member with the mandrel. The dove tail means comprises the first tubular
member having an opened end with an annular ring formed thereon that
engages a first lip extending from the first helical pad, with the first
lip being configured to adapt to the annular ring so that the first
helical pad is held in place by the annular ring.
The apparatus further comprises a second helical opening formed on the
mandrel and a second helical pad configured to be positioned within the
second helical opening. The second helical pad will have a series of
annular ribs disposed thereon. A second spring is inserted between the
second helical pad and the mandrel, with the second spring biasing the
second helical radially outward. In this embodiment, the dove tail means
further comprises the second tubular member having an opened end with an
annular ring formed thereon that engages the first lip so that the second
helical pad is held in place by the annular ring.
The apparatus may further comprise a third helical opening formed on the
mandrel, with the third helical pad being configured to be positioned
within the third helical opening. The third helical pad contains a series
of annular ribs. A third spring is inserted between the first helical pad
and the mandrel, with the spring biasing the helical pad radially outward.
A fourth helical opening may also be included, with a fourth helical pad
configured to be positioned therein. The fourth helical pad will have a
series of annular ribs. A fourth spring is inserted between the second
helical pad and the mandrel for biasing the fourth helical pad radially
outward.
In the preferred embodiment, the wire brush member comprises a wire bundle
having a first end and a second end, a brace disposed about the second end
of the wire bundle, and the brace is disposed within the groove of the pad
member. The brace comprises an open end and a closed end, with the closed
end having disposed therein the second end of the wire bundle, and wherein
the open end and the closed end cooperate to form a triangular shaped
profile. The groove will also have an angular shaped profile adapted to
slidably receive the wedge of the brace. The first and second wire brush
members will be arcuate. In one embodiment, the first wire brush member is
disposed about the periphery of the mandrel to cover a first phase and
wherein the second wire brush member is disposed about the periphery of
the mandrel to cover a second phase.
A method of cleaning a casing string with this second embodiment is also
disclosed. The method comprises lowering a work string within the inner
diameter of the casing string and providing a cleaning apparatus
operatively associated with the work string. The method includes urging
the wire brush member against the inner diameter of the casing string with
a first and second spring biasing a helical pad member and cleaning the
inner diameter of the casing string. The method further comprises rotating
and lowering the work string. A fluid may be circulated through the inner
diameter of the work string which in turn will cause the fluid to be
returned on the annulus side, with the fluid being channeled between and
through the helical pad.
In one embodiment, the well casing has a highly deviated section so that a
low side of the well casing and a high side is created, and the apparatus
further comprises a centralizer operatively associated with said work
string, with the first helical pad covering a first phase and the second
helical pad covering a second phase. The method further comprises lifting
the apparatus from the low side of the inner diameter of the well casing
with the centralizer, urging the wire brush member of the first helical
pad against the low side of the inner diameter of the well casing with
said spring at a constant force and urging the wire brush member of the
second helical pad against the high side of the inner diameter of the well
casing with the spring at the constant force.
An advantage of the present invention includes the ability to thoroughly
clean the internal diameter of the casing of a course material such as
cement while at the same time being able to scour the casing of thin films
left by oil base and synthetic muds that contain hydrocarbons. Another
advantage includes that the design allows easy replacement of the
components so that if a brush becomes worn, a new brush may be easily
inserted therein at the rig location.
Another advantage includes use of wire bristles that are of sufficient
hardness to allow for the scraping of the inner diameter of the casing.
Yet another advantage includes a staggered configuration of the brushes
that allows for the entire 360 degree periphery of the casing to be
cleaned with the upper set of brush pads or upper scrapers pads. Another
advantage is that the staggered configuration of lower scraper pads or
lower brush pads that allows for the entire 360 degree periphery to be
cleaned. Still yet another feature is that the device may be used in
highly deviated and/or horizontal wells.
An advantage of the present invention is that the helical pad allows for
channeling of well bore fluid in the annulus area. Another advantage is
that the helical brushes and scraper pads (also referred to as ribs) allow
for better cleaning of inner diameter of casing string. Yet another
advantage is the scraper pads, and brushes are interchangeable with each
other.
A feature of the present invention includes a novel locking mechanism brace
that allows the clamping of a bundle of wire bristles. Another feature is
that the novel locking mechanism includes triangular grooves formed within
the pad that cooperate with a triangular brace profile fitted therein. Yet
another feature is the dove tail locking means for selectively locking the
pad onto the mandrel.
Another feature includes a spring loaded pad that urges the wire brush
against the wall of the casing at a constant pressure. Thus, in a highly
deviated well, both the high side and low side of the well will be
cleaned. Still yet another feature is use of a centralizer that allows for
the wire brush to be centered within well. This feature keeps both brushes
centralized which in turn keeps the same pressure about the circumference
of the casing walls.
Still yet another feature of the present invention includes use of helical
brushes inserted into a helical pad. Another feature is the helical ribs
that act to clean and centralizer the tool in a well bore. Yet another
feature is that in one embodiment an upper row of helical brushes is used
and lower row of helical ribs (also referred to as scraper pads) is used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the down hole cleaning assembly shown
in a first phase.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the wire brush member of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 3A is an end view of the pad member with wire brush member inserted
therein of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 3B is an illustration of FIG. 3A with the end plate inserted thereon.
FIG. 4 is a side view detail of the wire brush member clamped with the
brace member of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a side view detail of the pad member of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the down hole cleaning assembly shown
rotated to a second phase.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of line A--A taken from FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of line B--B taken from FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention
that depicts dove tail means for attaching the pads to the down hole
cleaning assembly.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the down hole cleaning assembly of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a disassembled cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of
the pad and wire brush member.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pad and wire brush member of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is an oblique assembly view of the most preferred embodiment of
this application.
FIG. 14 is the assembled view of the most preferred embodiment of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the most preferred embodiment of FIG.
13.
FIG. 16 is a front view of the most preferred embodiment of FIG. 13.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the most preferred embodiment of FIG.
13 taken along line 17 of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of the down hole cleaning
assembly 2 shown in a first phase will now be described. Generally, the
assembly 2 includes a first mandrel 4 that has an outer diameter surface 6
that includes an external thread profile 8. The external thread profile 8
may be attached to a work string (not shown) such as drill pipe. It should
be understood that other types of work strings are available such as
snubbing pipe, coiled tubing, production strings, etc. The first FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention
that depicts dove tail means for attaching the pads to the down hole
cleaning assembly.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the down hole cleaning assembly of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a disassembled cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of
the pad and wire brush member.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pad and wire brush member of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a perspective, disassembled view of the preferred embodiment of
the cleaning apparatus.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the assembled cleaning apparatus shown in
FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of the down hole cleaning
assembly 2 shown in a first phase will now be described. Generally, the
assembly 2 includes a first mandrel 4 that has an outer diameter surface 6
that includes an external thread profile 8 The external thread profile 8
may be attached to a work string (not shown) such as drill pipe. It should
be understood that other types of work strings are available such as
snubbing pipe, coiled tubing, production strings, etc. The first mandrel 4
will have a first internal bore 10 that extends to the second internal
bore 12 that will have contained thereon internal thread means 14.
The assembly 2 contains a second mandrel 16 having an outer diameter 18 and
an inner bore 20. The outer diameter 18 will have a series of openings
formed therein, with FIG. 1 showing opening 22 and opening 24. It should
be noted that in the preferred embodiment, there will be two rows of
openings, with the first row along line A--A of FIG. 1 and the second row
along line B--B of FIG. 6. Each row will contain three openings.
The outer diameter 18 may contain other openings that will be described
later in the application. The outer diameter 18 will also contain the
external thread means 26. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second
mandrel 16 is made up to a third mandrel 28 The third mandrel 28 will have
an outer diameter 30 that in turn extends radially inward to the internal
threads 32 which in turn extends to the inner bore 34 that in turn leads
to the internal threads 36. The third mandrel 28 may be attached to
another down hole tool such as a bit.
The assembly 2 will have included the pad members 38, 40 that are
operatively positioned within the openings 22, 24 respectively. The pad
members 38, 40 will have a plurality of grooves formed therein with the
grooves containing wire brush means 42, 44 for cleaning the internal
diameter of a casing string. The wire brush means 42, 44 is generally a
wire bristle arrangement that is commercially available from Spiral Brush,
Inc. under the name steel wire. The bristles are manufactured from carbon
or stainless steel.
The pad members 38 are operatively associated with biasing means 46, 48 for
urging the pads 38, 40 (and in turn the wire brush means 42, 44) outwardly
with respect to the casing. In the preferred embodiment, each opening will
have four springs, including, a first spring 46A/48A, second spring
46B/48B, and the third spring 46C/48C. The spring loaded pads will allow
for constant pressure of the brushes against the casing wall at all times.
It should be noted that additional springs may be employed, for instance,
when the device used has a large diameter so that more force is needed to
adequately bias the pads.
The invention may have a plurality of openings within the outer diameter 18
for placement of additional pad and wire brush means as previously set
out. With a staggered configuration of pads about the body of the mandrel
16, a 360 degree circumference about the inner diameter of the casing may
be cleaned. This will be further explanation in reference to FIG. 6.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of the wire brush member 42, 44 of the
present invention will now be described in greater detail. The wire brush
member 42, 44 includes a bundle of wires that can be purchased from Spiral
Brush. The bundle of wires may be comprised of a carbon or stainless steel
material. As depicted in FIG. 2, the bundle of wires 50 will have a first
end 52 and a second end 54. The linear bundle of wires 50 is wrapped about
a center rod 55. The second end 54 will be encapsulated within a brace 56,
with the brace 56 tightly clamping about the second end 54 and rod 55 so
that the wires are held together. Further, the brace 56 is arcuate with
respect to radial surface 57 and has generally the same radius of
curvature as that of the mandrel 16.
In reference to FIG. 3A, an end view of the pad member 38 with wire brush
means 42 inserted therein is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the pad
member 38 contains an outer surface 58 that slopes to first shoulder 60
that in turn extends to a surface 61 and then to a second shoulder 62. The
second shoulder 62 advances to the internal surface 64 that in turn
extends to a third shoulder 66 and surface 67 which in turn stretches to
the fourth shoulder 68. The outer surface 58 will contain a series of
grooves 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 that are formed in the pad 38 so that series of
triangular profiles are formed therein. Thus, the braces 56 may be
laterally placed therein.
Also, the present invention teaches having a groove 69B formed within the
end face 69A. The end face 69A will have two openings 69C & 69D that will
receive an attachment means such as a set screw. In FIG. 3B, the
illustration of FIG. 3A is depicted with an end plate 69E operatively
associated therewith. Thus, the end plate 69E will be inserted within the
groove 69B, and will further have a pair of set screws that are inserted
into the openings 69C & 69D. With the end plate in place, the wire brush
means 42 are effectively locked into position so that they can not
inadvertently back-out during operation. An end plate may be placed on all
of the pad members.
With reference to FIG. 4, a side view detail of the wire brush means 42, 44
clamped with the brace member 56 of the present invention will now be
described. The brace 56 may comprise a first leg 79A, a second leg 79B,
and a third leg 79C, with the legs 79A, 79C bent in relation to each other
so that a triangular profile is formed as well as clamping the second end
54 of the wire bundle. As stated earlier, the wire bundle will generally
have a first end 52 that will serve to clean the casing. As shown, the
clamping effect of the brace 56 causes the wire end 52 to expand which
enhances the effectiveness of the wire scraping the casing wall as well as
serving to clutch the wire bundle and rod 55 in place.
In reference to FIG. 5, a side view detail of the pad member 38 of FIG. 3
is shown. It should be noted that like numbers appearing in the various
figures correspond to like components. Thus, the pad member 38 will have a
series of grooves 70-78. The individual grooves will have a first wall
70A, a second wall 70B, and a third wall 70C, with the three walls forming
a triangular profile that is essentially patterned after the brace 56 so
that the brace 56 may be slidably disposed therein. The triangular shaped
profile allows for lateral placement of the brace 56 therein while at the
same time securing the brace 56 from radial release from the grooves
70-78. The grooves 70-78 may also contain radial surfaces 70D, 70E, 72D,
72E, 74D and 74E.
FIG. 5 also depicts the channels 71A-D that may be included which receive
and cooperate with the springs. Although not shown, the series of rows may
be arranged in an inclined orientation relative to the axial bore which
gives the series of rows a spiral effect. The inclined orientation allows
for the displacement of the particles and compounds that are on the wall
of the casing to be more easily channeled as the device is either being
lowered into the well, raised from the well, or being rotated in the well.
The embodiment of FIG. 5 may also include an end plate member that contains
two openings for placement of set screws to affix the plate member onto
the pad. The plate member will hold the brushes in place and prevent the
brushes from sliding out of the grooves.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a cross-sectional view of the down hole cleaning
assembly 2 shown rotated to a second phase will now be described. Thus,
the drawing shows the second row including the pad member 80 and pad
member 82 that will be inserted within the openings 84, 86. The pad
members 76, 78 will have associated therewith the wire brush means 88 and
90, respectively for cleaning the internal diameter of the casing string.
As set out earlier, the wire brush means 84, 86 will include the wire
bundles clamped via a brace.
The pad member 76 will be urged outward toward the casing inner wall via
the springs 92A, 92B, 92C and the pad member 78 will be urged outward
toward the casing inner wall via springs 94A, 94B, 94C. As previously set
forth, the springs 92A-C and 94A-C will urge the wire brush against the
wall of the casing at a constant force. Thus, if the work string is being
lowered through dog legs, or other highly deviated portions of the well,
the springs will allow the retraction or urging as is necessary.
The illustration of FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of line A--A
taken from FIG. 1. Thus, the brush means 42 and 44 are shown along with
the brush means 96 in the first row. It should be noted that while three
brush means 92 are shown in FIG. 7, the actual number may vary depending
on numerous variables such as hole size, work string etc. The brush means
92 will be included within an opening along the pad and spring as
previously described. The three brush means will provide for an effective
radial cleaning phase area of 360 degrees.
In FIG. 8, the drawing illustrates a cross-sectional view of line B--B
taken from FIG. 6 wherein FIG. 6 depicts three brush means, namely 84, 86
and 98 in a second row. The construction of the pads, openings, springs
and brush means is similar to those described in FIGS. 1 through 7. The
three brush means will provide for an effective radial cleaning phase area
of 360 degrees. As seen in FIG. 8, the individual brush means 84, 86, 94
are disposed in a different longitudinal phase when compared to the brush
means 42, 44, 92 so that a staggered 360 degree coverage of the inner
diameter may be accomplished during an operational trip into the casing
string i.e. the entire inner diameter circumference will be cleaned.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention
that depicts dove tail means for attaching the pads to the down hole
cleaning assembly 2. More particularly, the first mandrel 4 will have the
internal threads 14 that cooperate with the external threads 100 of the
second mandrel 16. The internal threads 14 lead to a inner bore surface
102.
The external threads 96 extend to the openings 22, 24 that have radial
shoulders 104, 106. The openings 22, 24 are generally slots that are
formed on the periphery of the mandrel 16 and are adapted to receive the
pads 38, 40 as previously described. The slots formed will terminate at
the shoulders 108, 110 that in turn extends to the lip 112, 114. The lips
108, 10 then lead to the outer diameter surface 18. It should be noted
that while two openings 22, 24 are shown in FIG. 9, the preferred
embodiment will contain three staggered openings about the periphery as
shown in FIG. 7.
Therefore, when the tool is to be assembled, the operator may place the
springs 46A-46C and 48A-46C within the openings 22, 24. The pads 38, 40
are then placed within the openings 22, 24. The surface 67 of the pad
member 40 is placed within the opening 24 such that the surface 67 and lip
110 abut each other and with the pads 38, 40 up against the shoulder 104
and 106. Next, the first mandrel 4 is threadedly connected with the second
mandrel 16 by making up threads 14 with threads 96. The inner bore surface
97 will slide-over the lip 61. With the lip 61 in place, the inner bore
surface 97 will hold the pads 38, 40 so that the pads may be biased
radially outwardly via springs 46A-46C and 48A-48C. Meanwhile, the surface
67 will engage the lip 108, 110 so that the pad members 38, 40 are held in
position.
Thus, the individual pad members may be replaced on location by threadedly
removing the mandrel 4, withdrawing the old pad member, and thereafter
placing a new pad member with new brush means thereon into the openings.
Next, the operator could then threadedly make up the mandrel 4 onto
mandrel 16 as previously set forth.
Also, the mandrel 28 will have similar thread means with an inner bore
surface for making up to the mandrel 16 so that the second series of pad
members 76, 78 may be similarly dove tailed for selectively adapting said
pad members 76, 78 with the mandrels 16, 28.
The invention is illustrated in a perspective view in FIG. 10. Thus, in the
preferred embodiment, the brush means 42, 44, 92 are positioned in a first
row while the brush means 84, 86, 94 are positioned in a second row. Also,
the FIG. 10 depicts the pads 38, 40, 76, 78 disposed within openings
contained on the mandrel 16 as previously described.
There is yet another embodiment possible with the teachings of the present
invention. Referring now to FIG. 11, the embodiment includes a different
type of wire brush means 122 operatively associated with the pad member
124. The pad member 124 includes the first plate 126 and the second plate
128 which allows for the back side placement of the brush means 122
through the second plate 128.
The pad member 124 of FIG. 11 will be received within the openings 22, 24,
84, 86 etc. previously mentioned. The plates 126, 128 are arcuate so that
they fit into the contour of the outer diameter of the mandrel 16. The
second plate 128 will have an outer surface 130 that extends to the ledges
132A-B which in turn extends to the inner surface 134. The second plate
128 has disposed therein the openings 136A-F and the ledge 132 has
openings 138A-B.
Also depicted in FIG. 11 is the wire brush means 122 for cleaning the
internal diameter of said casing string as previously described. The wire
brush means 122 is also commercially available from Spiral Brush Inc. In
this embodiment, the individual wire brush means 122 are disposed through
the openings 126A-F and are generally circular arranged about a base 140.
The base 140 is of a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening 136
so that the wire brush means 122 can not pass therethrough.
The first plate 126 contains the first surface 142 that stretches to a
second surface 144. The second surface 144 will have disposed therein
openings 146A, 146B. A fastener, such as a screw, may be placed
therethrough and be operatively attached with the second plate 128 via the
openings 138A, 138B. In this manner, the wire brush means 122 will fit
through the openings and once the plates 126 and 128 are fastened
together, the wire brush means 122 are locked into position.
The spring means 148A-D will be positioned so that one end of the spring is
up against the surface 144 while the other end is against the surface 102,
for instance. Thus, the spring means 148A-148D will bias the pad member
124 axially outward into engagement with the wall of the casing string as
previously set forth. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pad 124 and
wire brush member 122 of FIG. 11 assembled.
Referring now to FIG. 13, the preferred embodiment of this application will
now be described. A first tubular member 200 is provided, with the tubular
member 200 being concentrically disposed within a casing string. The
tubular 200 is generally part of a work string such as a drill string,
production string, coiled tubing, snubbing, etc. The tubular 200 has an
open end 202 that contains internal thread means (not shown in this
figure).
FIG. 13 also depicts the mandrel 204, with the mandrel 204 having a
generally cylindrical outer surface and an internal bore section 206. The
mandrel 204 has a first end that contains external thread means 208 that
will mate and cooperate with the internal thread means of the tubular 200.
The mandrel has a second end that contains the external thread means 210
that will threadedly attach to the internal thread means 212 of the second
tubular member 214. The second tubular member 214 may be further connected
to other tubular members. The open end 202 will have an annular ring, also
referred to as an inner bore surface 102 shown in FIG. 9. The open end of
second tubular member 214 also contains this inner bore surface (also
referred to as an annular ring 280 in FIG. 13).
The mandrel 204 will contain a plurality of helical openings, for instance
helical opening 216 and helical opening 218. A third helical opening is
provided but not shown in the FIG. 13. The helical openings will have
disposed therein the helical pads 220, 222, 224. The helical pads contain
an arcuate body with parallelogram sides. The pads 220, 222, 224 will
contain slotted grooves for placement of the row of brushes as was
previously explained as well as seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The pad 220
will contain the brush means 226 the pad 222 will contain the brush means
228 and the third pad 224 will contain the brush means 230. The brush
means 226, 228, 230 are also constructed as previously set out and as seen
in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
The openings 216, 218, 220 will leave formed on the mandrel body the arms
232, 234, 236 thereby forming the slotted area the helical pads 220, 222,
224 are fitted into. The opening 216 also contains the partial radial
annular groove 238, the opening 218 contains a partial radial groove 247,
and the opening 220 contains a partial radial groove (not shown in this
figure). The helical pad 220 contains the lip section 240 that will
cooperate with the annular groove on the tubular 200. The helical pad 220
also has the lip section 242 that will cooperate with the partial radial
annular groove 238. The helical pad 222 contains the lip section 244 that
will cooperate with the annular groove on the tubular 200. The helical pad
222 also has the lip section 246 that will cooperate with the partial
radial annular groove 247. The helical pad 224 contains the lip section
248 that will cooperate with the annular ring on the tubular 200. The
helical pad 220 also has the lip section 250 that will cooperate with the
partial radial annular groove on the mandrel 204. The lip sections
cooperate with the openings and the annular ring of the tubular member 200
in order to form means for selectively attaching the pads to the mandrel
204, which is also referred to as dove tail means, operatively associated
with the mandrel, for selectively attaching the helical pad members to the
mandrel.
FIG. 13 also depicts a plurality of centralizer means which include helical
pads 252, 254, 256. The pads 252, 254, 256 are inserted into the three
helical openings 258, 260 (the third opening is not shown in this figure).
The pads centralize as well as scrape and clean the inner diameter. The
pads 252, 254, 256 have a series of annular ribs arranged in a slanted
fashion 262, 264, 266, respectively. Each of the pads 252, 254, 256 have a
lip section, namely lip section 268, 270 for pad 252; lip section 272, 274
for pad 254; lip section 276, 278 for pad 256. A partial radial annular
groove is provided within each window. Thus, lip section 268 will fit into
a partial radial groove, lip section 272 will fit into a partial radial
groove, and lip section 276 will fit into a partial radial annular groove.
The tubular member 214 will have an annular ring 280 (also referred to as
an inner bore surface) in its open end. Thus, the lip section 270 will
cooperate with annular ring 280, lip section 274 will cooperate with
annular radial groove 280, and lip section 278 will cooperate with annular
radial groove 280 when the thread means 212 is threadedly engaged with
thread means 210 so that pads 252, 254, 256 are held in the three openings
(258, 260). These pads 252, 254, 256 are to clean as well as centralize
the mandrel 204. Other stabilizer means may be added to the work string if
desired. For instance, a stabilizer may be added above or below the
mandrel 204. An example is shown in FIG. 6.
Also included is means for biasing the pads radially outward. When the
apparatus is concentrically disposed within a well bore, the biasing means
will bias the pads radially outward against the casing walls at a constant
force, regardless if the well bore is highly deviated or horizontal. Thus,
FIG. 13 depicts the conical springs 282a, 282b, 282c, 282d that will have
one end inserted into an aperture milled into the mandrel 204, such as the
apertures 284a,284b. In the preferred embodiment, each spring will be
associated with a hole; in FIG. 13, the apertures for 282c and 282d are
not shown due to the curvature of the mandrel 204.
The springs 286a, 286b, 286c, 286d will have the apertures
288a,288b,288c,288d, respectively, for biasing the pad 222 outward. The
placement of the springs is along a helical path, as shown, which is also
parallel to the arms e.g. 232. The helical pads of this embodiment will
have a corresponding aperture for placement of the second end of the
various springs. FIG. 13 depicts this feature as apertures 290a, 290b.
With reference to the lower helical pads of the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 13, the springs 292a, 292b, 292c, 292d are associated with apertures
within the mandrel body 204 as previously stated. The apertures 294a, 294b
are shown. Further, there is included the springs 296a, 296b, 296c, 296d
operatively associated with the apertures within the mandrel body 204;
those depicted in FIG. 13 include apertures 298d, 298b, 298c. It should
also be noted that an aperture 300a within helical pad 256 is also
depicted.
FIG. 14 depicts the assembled view of the most preferred embodiment of FIG.
13. Thus, the pad 220 is seen with the brush means 226 and pad 222 is seen
with brush means 228. The pad 252 is seen with the annular rib pattern 262
and the pad 254 is seen with the annular rib pattern 264. Note that the
rib pattern is slanted in a first direction and the brush means is slanted
in the same direction. However, the rib pattern may be slanted in a first
direction and the brush means may be slanted in an opposite direction.
Further, with the unique design herein disclosed, all of the scraper pads
and brush pads are interchangeable with each other. The operator can then
have all brush pads; or all scraper pads; or a combination of brush pads
and scraper pads. In other words, top row can have just brush pads, or
just scraper pads, or a combination of the two. The bottom row can have
just brush pads, or just scraper pads, or a combination of the two.
The line 227 in FIG. 14 depicts the fact that with this novel design, the
top brushes means 226a and the bottom brush means 228a effectively overlap
so that a 360 degree phase coverage or more is produced by this spiral
design. Without the spiral design, it was not possible in the prior art to
have the top brush (located on a first pad) and the bottom brush (located
on a second pad) to cover a 360 degree phase. In other words, with the
prior art designs of longitudinal straight pads, a gap in coverage existed
and effectively required a lower set of completely independent brush means
and/or scraper pads to fill-in this gap. This design solves this problem.
Referring now to FIG. 15, a cross-sectional view of the preferred
embodiment of this invention is illustrated. FIG. 15 is similar to FIGS. 1
and 6 in that they depict the dove tail means for selectively attaching
the pads to the mandrel. More particularly, the lip 240, 244 is surrounded
by the annular ring surface 316 contained on the tubular 200. Further,
FIG. 15 depicts the annular radial groove 238 with lips 242, 246
positioned therein. Also included is the annular radial groove 318, 319
that has contained therein the lips 268, 272. The annular ring 280 is
configured to selectively attach the lips 270, 272.
FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of the apparatus and in particular the
helical pads. The front view of the helical pad 222 depicts generally a
parallelogram having the side 320 that is slanted and parallel with the
side 322, as well as parallel top and bottom sides. Note that the angle of
the slant can be varied. In the most preferred embodiment, there is a 360
degree of peripheral coverage when cleaning a casing string. In other
words, the brushes will effectively cover the entire 360 degree phase of
the inner diameter. The lower pads with the annular ribs 264, 262, 266 may
be slanted in the same direction and can also be designed to cover an
effective 360 degree phase. It should be noted that it is also possible to
have the slant of the upper brushes in an opposite slope than the lower
annular ribs. As shown, there is a plurality of rows of brushes/ribs. The
fluid being circulated within the annulus of the well bore can, therefore,
be directed through the individual helically arranged brushes/ribs rows as
well as channeled along the arms 232, 234, 236 during operation. Also,
rotation of the work string is enhanced by the helically arranged brushes.
Referring now to FIG. 17, a cross sectional view of the apparatus taken
along line 17 of FIG. 16 will now be described. The mandrel 204 with the
internal bore 206 is shown, with the openings 216, 218, 324 is
illustrated. The apertures 284b, 288b, 326 are shown with the springs
282a, 286a,328 mounted therein, respectively. The brushes 226, 228,230 are
shown. The side arms of the openings are also depicted at 232, 234, 236.
It should be noted that the brushes are inserted into a groove within the
respective pads as previously described. The brush end 330 concludes so
that there is a channel or gap between a complementary brush end 332. The
channel, along the arms 232, 234, 236 provides a passage for fluid, debris
and solids to channel through the tool.
It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 13, 14, 15,
16, and 17, that the lower helical pads are comprised of a series of
annular extending ribs. Thus, the helical pads 252, 254, 256 are
constructed similar to that seen in FIG. 17, except that annular extending
ribs are used rather than the brush means. The annular extending ribs will
be formed on the pad such as by milling as is well understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art. The types of metals that the pads and ribs may
be constructed of include metal, aluminum, plastic, etc.
Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope
of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may
be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the
descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the
details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting
sense.
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